Bag



June 30, 1959 R. J WILLIAMS BAG 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 28, 1956 w 8% wm June 30, 1959 R. J. WILLIAMS BAG 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 19 56 June 30, 1959 R. J. WILLIAMS BAG 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 28, 1956 June 30, '1959 R, MLUAM 2,892,580

BAG

Filed Sept. 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent lhis invention relates to bags, and more particularly to' multi-ply paper bags.

=Among the several objects of the-invention may' be noted the, provision of a mode of reinforcing-multi-ply vpaperbagshaving folded and pasted end closures-to oflfset the-weakness in the paper otherwise caused by the foldingaand creasing incident to the forming of the closures insuch-manner that bags ofgiven strength may #be made withfewerplies than heretofore, thereby effectinggreat "saving :of paperin quantity production; and the provision of-such amode of reinforcing-stepped-"end -'bags. Other objects andfeatures will be'in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

"The invention accordingly 'comprises .the constructions hereinafter described, the-scope ofthe invention being indicated inthe following claims.

In' the-accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of theinventionis illustrated,

. 'Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view-inperspectiveillustratingzprocedure inthe manufacture ofstepped end bags tiniaccordance with .this invention;

Fig.1 lAis alongitudinahsection of .a multiply web made-ineaccordancewithFigf 1; taken on=line-1A-'1A .Qf FigL 2;

"FigF'ZIis a plan view of. a multi-plyawebmade in. ac- =cordanceuwith Fig. .1,:with-certain.plies in-part broken .1 away;

g-Fig. 53 :is asplan view'ona langerscalei than Fig. 2

showingaitube. madefrom the .Fig.. 2 imulti ply :web,

and illustrating at the left thereo-fhow thisLtubeiis segmente'd Iinto individual 1 bag tubes;

.:Eig. 4:is a view .in rperspective of an' individualtrbag .'tube,.=as vieweda-from the seamedsidemfithe tubeaand ifro'm above, the outer ply ofsthe tube beingpartly-broken away;

: Fig; 5 is aview in perspective of the'bagtnbe asviewed from;its. other 'side and :from: below,:the outer plyand'the ;next: ply. being partly. broken away;

; Fig? 6. is .a' cross .sectiontaken; on: line 6-145v of .Fig.:5;

Fig. 7. isx'a .viewiinv elevation..:of.abag tube showing '.-procedure in theiformationt ofend closures forthe'ttube stotmakea valve bag; and

Fig. 8.is a .viewsin-elevation-of a completed'ibag.

:Correspondin-g reference characters indicate correspond- :zing parts. throughouttheseveral-.views of. the'drawings.

Referring to..the..drawings, the manufacture. of threea plyistepped-end-bags:is shown, but it will bezunderstood ;.:.that thezprinciples. of the inventioniare applicable :-to 1 the manufacture of stepped+end or other; bags with: more :thanthreeiplies. The-showing of the. manufactureiof .fthreerplybagslhas been :selected tOxflVOld complication ofrthe disclosure. In accordance withthisinventioneas ..'it:. pertains .to; the-manufactureof three-ply stepped-end ibags, as .illustrated in Fig. .1, threeawvebs of :paper' "1; 3 :and 5tofJthessame widthzare continuously "withdrawn .iifromisupplyrolls (notsshown, but :-which:would beofi -to the rightof Fig. .1). Webs 1 .and3 are'combined to1form a two-ply web 1W42' at a combining :guide7, :andthe web'W-2 is combined with 'web 5 to form: a: threenply -web"W-3 at. a. combining guide 9. Thethreer'ply "web W-3 -is continuouslyied through :a conventional :tuber (not shown) .tobe'formed into a'three-plvtube T see"Fig.'-3). by-folding on lines L-.1 andrL%2.

Guide .7 .is shown as .a roll. to the roll 7 in spaced paths, converging together at the 17 to a' guide roll 21,"thence' upward to a.gui'deroll"23, ithence"horizontally rearward to a .guide" roll "25, "and thenceupwardtothe combining roll 9. Theibite -of formingstepped-en'd closures.

2, the Web 1 is 'cut to form four longitudinal s1its27a, 29a, 31a"and 33a.

2 roll to form the two-ply :web .W Z. LThe'Jweb .1, which eventually'becomes the-inner ply:of theithree-plytube, is shown as travelling generally horizontally fromits supply roll to a guide roll .ll'from which it travels upward .to a guide roll 13, thenceihorizontally forward'.jto a guide roll 15 and thence upward to the combining roll "7. .The web 3, which eventuallybecomes the'f'intermediate ply of'the three-ply tube, is shown. astravelling generally horizontally from'its supplyfir'ollbel'ow theweb 1 and the guide roll'll to av guide. roll 17;the'nce upward to a guide roll19, thence. in a path inclinedfupwardly. andrearwardly to'the roll 7. The web 5;" which eventually becomesLtherouter ply ofthe three-Plytube, is 1 shown as travelling generally.horizontally'='from"its supply roll below the web3 and'the gu'i'de rollsill'and the .webs 1 and '3 (i.e.,'"theitransverse' linelon which they come into engagementtoiform web"W'-2)'.is indicated at A. The-bite of web W-2 and web 5 (i.e.,'theftrans verse'line on which 'theycome into engagement toform web W 3) is'indicated 'at'B. "The Webs1,'3.tand" Sare combined'in laterally'offset relation as is conventional 'in the manufacture of multi-ply paper bags.

As'the Web '1 travels toward the combining roll 7;. it is cut and perforated atibag'length intervals on linesfor As showniin'Figs. l and Slits 27a -and 29a tare located'jon opposite sides of theline L-l and slits 31a and"33 a-are located'on opposite'si'des-of-the line L-2. "The web 1 is perforated ontransverse lines 35' and 37- which 'extendiin- 'ward'from the side edges 'ofi the "Web; to "the '"onterjslits 27a and 33a,'on -a transverse line 39 which'extendsl'between'i'the inner -'slits29a and-31a, on-a-transverse'line 41a-which extendsbetween slits.27a and -29a,-and'on' a -transverse line- 43a which extends'between slitsSla and 33a. 'Lines'351and -37 are transversely aligned. Lines 4161 and--'-43a"are transverselyaligne'd and stepped-back 'fromlines85 *and 37. ,Line39 is'steppedbacki'from lines -4'1aand "'43a. The perforatingand 'cutting is effected as by means of a; 'perforator and cutter -such --as indicatedat' =45 operating-on the" web 1 in'the reach' 'of the web-exten-ding from roll-11 toroll 13.

As-the Web *3 travels toward the combining T611 17,

it is cut-and perforatedat bag length intervalspn lines for forming stepped-end closures.

As shown inFigJ 2, the web 3 is cut-tcrfornr four longitudinzlkslits 2'7-b,"29b, 31b and 33b corresponding to slits"27a,29a,"3lai'and 33a. It is perforated ion -a transverse line "designated in its entirety byreference character 46" which extends completely across web 3 intersecting the fslits 'at' 'their central points. "Ll116"46thllSfCO11SlSlS oftransverslilies al-[rand 4'3b'-corresponding:to lines"4la--and"43a between the slits, lines-"47 "and 49 "WhiChTXlElld inwardffromthe side edges-of the-web to-the outer slits'27b and 33b; and

- a line 51 which extends between the inner-slits 29b and 311).

1 means of a a: perforator and cutter such as indicated 21553 opertatingsoni the .'web' 3: in the vreach ofzthe web'i betwee the. rolls-l7t and; 19.

This perforating and :cutting is -eifected=-as by .:As. the web ,5 .travelsstoward the combinin-gurolls-Q,

.it is cut-and perforated-and eutvat bagzlen-gthdnternals on linesfonforming steppedeend closures; As showntin ;Fig. 2;.-.theweb.5 is=cutrto form longitudinal slits-2 1's,

29c, 31c. and ,330- corresponding to.slits.; Z7a-;-and:,2f7b,

between itheaslitsontransverselines 41c and Mac-correfrom the side edges of the web to the outer slits 27c and 33c, and on a transverse line 59 which extends between the inner slits 29c and 310. Lines 55 and 57 are transversely aligned and stepped back from lines 41c and 430, and lines 416 and 430 are stepped back from line 59. The perforating and cutting is effected as by means of a perforator and cutter such as indicated at 61 operating on the web 5 in the reach of the web extending from roll 21 to roll 23.

The webs 1, 3 and 5 all travel at the same speed. The timing of the perforating and cutting devices 45, 53 and 61 is such that slits 27a, 29a, 31a and 33a and lines of perforations 41a and 43a made by the device 45 in web 1 come into register with slits 27b, 29b, 31b and 33b and lines 41b and 4317 made by device 53 in web 3 at the combining roll 7, and slits 27c, 29c, 31c and 330 and lines 410 and 430 made by device 61 in web 5 come into register with the slits 27a-b, 29a-b, 31a-b and 33ab and lines 41a-b and 43a-b in web W-Z at combining roll 9. Accordingly, in the three-ply web W-3, at each bag length interval, there is a group of slits and lines of perforations as follows: four longitudinal slits 27, 29, 31 and 33 (constituted by the registering slits 27a, b, c; 29a, 12, 31a, 12, c; and 33a, b, c); a transverse line of perforations 41 (constituted by the registering lines 410, b, c); a transverse line of perforations 43 (constituted by the registering lines 43a, b, c); transverse lines of perforations 35, 39 and 37 in web 1; transverse lines of perforations 47, 51 and 49 in web 3; and transverse lines of perforations 55, 59 and 57 in web 5. In each group, lines 35 and 37 in web 1 are aligned with line 59 in Web 5. Lines 47, 51 and 49 in web 3 are stepped back from lines 35, 37 and 59, and register with lines 41 and 43. Lines 55 and 57 in web are aligned with line 39 in web 1.

As the webs 1 and 3 are combined at the combining roll 7, transverse reinforcing bands 63 are fed in between the webs 1 and 3 and pasted in between them, the bands 63 being spaced at bag length intervals along the length of the composite two-ply web W-2 formed at the roll 7 from webs 1 and 3. The bands 63 are severed from a continuous web 65 of band material drawn from a supply roll (not shown). This material is preferably paper, but it may be any other suitable reinforcing material such as cloth. The width of the web 65 and its lateral register are preferably such that the bands extend from near one edge of web 1 to near the opposite edge of web 5 (see Fig. 2). The web 65 is drawn from its supply roll at a speed less than the speed of webs 1 and 3 by a pair of draw rolls 67. It travels from its supply roll between webs 1 and 3 to a guide roll 69, thence up to the draw rolls 6']. It is fed upward by the draw rolls through a cutter 71 and between the converging webs 1 and 3 into the bite A of these webs.

The cutter 71, as shown, may comprise an anvil roll 73 and a rotary blade 75, and is adapted to sever the web into bands 63 which are of an appropriate dimension in the longitudinal direction of webs 1 and 3. What the appropriate longitudinal dimension is will be later made clear in reference to the finished bags.

The line on which the cutter 71 cuts the web 65 is preferably spaced from the bite A of webs 1 and 3 a distance corresponding generally to the desired longitudinal dimension for the band. The timing of the cutter is such that it severs the web 65 to form a band substantially at the instant that the end of the web 65 is caught in the bite of webs 1 and 3, and the severed band is thereupon drawn in between the webs 1 and 3 at the speed at which webs 1 and 3 are travelling. The band is pulled away from the freshly cut end of web 65 since web 65 is fed by the draw rolls 67 at a speed lower than the speed of the webs 1 and 3, and the bands drawn in between the webs 1 and 3 are spaced along the length of the web W-Z at equal intervals. The speed of web 65 in relation to the speed of webs 1 and 3 is such that the spacing of the bands corresponds to the desired length of the bags to be manufactured.

As the webs W-2 and 5 are combined at the combining roll 9 to form web W-3, transverse reinforcing bands 77 are fed in between webs W2 and 5 and pasted in between them, the bands being spaced at bag length intervals along the length of the web W-3. The bands 77 are severed from a continuous web 79 of band material drawn from a supply roll (not shown). This material is preferably paper, but it may be any other suitable reinforcing material such as cloth. As shown in Fig. l, the width and lateral register of the web 79 is the same as that of web 65. The web 79 is drawn from its supply roll at a speed less than the speed of webs 1, 3 and 5 and the same as the speed of web 65 by a pair of draw rolls 81. It travels from its supply roll between webs 3 and 5 to a guide roll 83, thence up to the draw rolls 81. It is fed upward by the draw rolls through a cutter and between the converging web W-2 and 5 into the bite B of these webs. The cutter, as shown, may comprise an anvil roll 87 and a rotary blade 89, and is adapted to sever the web into bands 77 which are of the same dimension in the longitudinal direction of the webs as bands 63. The line on which the cutter 85 cuts web 79 is preferably spaced from the bite B of webs W-2 and 5 a distance corresponding generally to the desired longitudinal dimension for each band 77. The timing of the cutter 85 is such that it severs the web 79 to form a band 77 substantially at the instant that the end of the web 79 is caught in the bite of webs W4 and 5, and the severed band 77 is thereupon drawn in between the webs W-2 and 5 at the speed at which webs W-Z and 5 are travelling. The band is pulled away from the freshly cut end of web 79 since web 79 is fed by the draw rolls 81 at a speed lower than the speed of the webs W-Z and 5, and the bands drawn in between the webs W-2 and 5 are spaced along the length of the web W-3 at equal intervals. The speed of web 79 in relation to the speed of webs W-2 and 5 is such that the spacing of the bands corresponds to the desired length of the bags to be manufactured.

The timing of the band cutters 71 and 85 relative to one another is such that the bands 63 of the series of bands fed in between webs 1 and 3 are out of phase with respect to the bands 77 of the series of bands fed in between web W-2 and web 5 to the extent that the bands of one series are longitudinally spaced from and lie on opposite sides of the groups of lines of cuts and perforations in the web W-3 from the bands of the other series. More particularly, as shown in Fig. 2, the bands 63 are stepped forward of the lines 35, 3'7 and 39, and the bands 77 are stepped back from the lines 55, 57 and 39.

As the web 1 travels from the roll 13 to the roll 15, three transverse rows of paste spots 91a, 93a and 95 are applied to the inside face of the web by means of a spot paster such as indicated at 97 in Fig. 1. As the web 3 travels from the roll 19 to the combining roll 7, three rows of paste spots 91b, 93b and 95a are applied to the face of the web 3 which is opposed to the inside face of the web 1 by a spot paster such as indicated at 99 in Fig. 1. When the webs 1 and 3 come together, rows 91a and 91!) come into register on opposite faces of bands 63 and paste the forward edge of the band 63 to both the webs 1 and 3, rows 93a and 93b come into register on opposite faces of bands 63 and paste the rearward edge of the band 63 to both the webs 1 and 3, row 95 pastes the webs 1 and 3 together immediately rearward of the rearward edge of the band 63, and row 95a pastes the webs 1 and 3 together rearward of row 95.

" L2'are the side edges of the tube.

,rfiwszla and 10512 come into register on opposite .faces of the bands-77 and paste the rearward edge of the band 77 itothe webs 5 and W-2.

The composite three-ply web W-3 is foldedonzlines 'L-l: and L-2 to form the tube T illustratedin Fig; 3 -in'-a:- manner which is conventional and well known in.

the art, the web 1 becoming the inner ply of the tube, theweb 3 the intermediate ply, and the web 5 the outer ply. The longitudinal ply seams of the tubeare indicatedat 111, 113 and 115. The folds .on lines L-1. and In the tube, 311163.611 bag'length interval, there is a group ofslits andlines of perforations as follows: longitudinal slits 27 and 29 through all the plies adjacent edge L-1 with slit '27 in the seamed wall of the tube and slit 29 in the unseamed wall; longitudinal slits 33 and 31 through alltheplies adjacent edge L-2 with slit 33in the seamed wall and slit 31 in the unseamed wall; a line of perforations 41 through all the plies in both walls extending fromedge IL-1" to theslits 27, 29; a line of perforations43 through all the plies in both walls extending from edge.L-2 totheslits 31, 33; a line of perforations 5557 in the seamed wall of the outer tube ply 5 extending between slits 27 and 33 and stepped back from lines 41 and 43; aline-of perforations 47-49 in the seamed wall of'the intermediate tube ply 3 extending between slits 27 and '33 and aligned with lines 41 and 43; a line of perforations 3537 in the seamed wall of the inner ply 1 extending between slits 27 and 33 and stepped forward of lines 41 and 43; a line of perforations 59 in the unseamed wall of outer ply 5 extending between slits 29 and 31, stepped forward of lines 41 and 43 and registering with lines 35-37; a line of perforations 51 in the unseamed wall of ply 3 aligned with lines 41 and 43; anda line of perforations 39 in the unseamed'wall of inner ply 1 stepped back from the lines 41 and 43 and registering with lines 5557.

The tube T is segmented into individual bag tubes 117 by-tearing it apart on the lines of perforations 41, 43. 5557, 4749, 3537, 59, 51 and 39, as illustrated at the left of Fig. 3. A bag tube 117 thus produced is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, Fig. 4 showingthe seamed wall of the tube, and Fig. 5 showing the unseamed wall.

It will be observed that at one end of the tube (the upper end as shown in Figs. 4 and 5), the intermediate ply has astraight end edge constituted by line 46. The outer ply 5 has an inner stepped-end edge portion in the seamed wall constituted by lines 5557 at the inner edge of a recess 121 in the seamed wall and an outer stepped-end edge portion in the unseamed wall constituted by line '59 at the outer edge of an extension 123 which projects beyond the edge 46' of the intermediate ply. The inner ply 1 has an inner stepped-end edge portion in the unseamedwall constituted by line 39 at the inner edge of a recess 125 and an outer stepped-end edge portion in the seamed wall constituted by lines 3537 at the outer edge of an extension 127 which projects beyond edge 46 of the intermediate ply.

Similarly, it will be observed. that at the other end of the tube (the lower end as shown in Figs. 4 and 5),

the intermediate ply has a straight end edge constituted by line 46. The outer ply 5 has an inner stepped-end edge portion in the unseamed wall constituted by line 59 at the inner edge of a recess 131 and an outer steppedend edge portion in the seamed wall constituted by lines 554-57 atthe outer edge of an extension 133 whichproinnerply 1 has an inner stepped-end edge portionin' the seamed wall constitutedby lines 35- 37 atthe inner edge of a recess 135 and an outer stepped-end edge portion in the unseamed wall constituted by line'39 at the outer edgeof anextension137 which projects beyond edge 46 of the intermediate ply.

Adjacent the upper end of the bag tube 117 is a band 77 (see Figs. 4 and 6), The band 77 is located between the outer ply 5 and'the intermediate ply 3. It extends girthwise of the bag from near one side of-the seamed region of the tube to near the other'side of this region. It is pasted to the ply-5 by-rows of paste spots103b and 105b and pasted to ply 3 by rows of paste spots-103a and 105a. The outer edge 139 of the band 77 islocated inwardof the innermost stepped-end edge portions .39- and 5557 (the inner edges of recesses 121 and such;as indicated at P-1 in Fig. 7. The flap 151 is folded Between theouter edge 139.;of the band 77 and the edge portions 39 and 5557 is -the row of-paste spots I 101 which pastes together the plies 5 and 3. The plies 1 and.3 are pasted togetheratthe upper-end ofthe tube by the row of paste spots 95a.

Adjacent the lower end of the bag tube 117 is a band 63. The band '63 is located between the inner ply 1 and-the intermediate ply 3. It extends girthwise of the bag frornnear one side of, the seamed region of the tube to. near the other side of this region. It is pasted'to-the ply 1 'by rows of paste spots 91a and 93a and pasted to ply3 by rows of paste spots 91b-and 93b. The outer edge 141 of the band 63 is located inward of the innermost stepped-end edge portions 59 and 35- 37 (the inner edges of recesses 131 and 135). Between the outer edge141 of the band 63 and the edge portions 59 and 3537 is the row of pastespots 95 which pastes together the plies 1 and 3. The plies 3 and 5 are pasted together at the lower end of the tube by therow of paste 7 spots 101a.

The bag tube 117 is formed with folded and pasted top and bottom closures 143 and 145 as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. These closures are similarly formed, except that a different paste pattern is used in the top closure to provide a valve. As to the top closure, the slits 2729 and 3133 define end flaps 147 and 149 and side flaps 151 and 153. The side flap 153 is folded back upon the tube on a main fold line 155 extending transversely with respect to the length of the tube. This operation effects turning in of theend flaps 147 and 149, the end flaps folding in on lines indicated at 157 extending from the side edges of the tube to the inner ends of; the slits. Paste is applied to the flaps in an L-shaped pattern over on a transverse crease line 159 to overlie the end flaps, then the side flap 153 is folded over on a transverse crease line 161 to overlie the side flap 151. The inner and outer folded-over side flaps 151 and 153 thus become pasted together and pasted to the end flaps. Inthe top closure, 21 valve is provided at the upper right corner as shown in Fig. 8 in view of the L-shape of the paste pattern in the top closure, as will be readily understood in the art.

In the top closure, the extension 123 of the outer'ply 5 is included in the outer side flap 153 and the extension 127 of the inner ply 1 is included in the inner side flap 151. The portion of the inner ply 1 in the outer side flap 153 becomes pasted to the outside of extension 127 of the inner ply, the portion of the intermediate ply 3 exposedby recess 125 becomes pasted to the portionof the intermediate ply exposed by recess 121, and the extension 123 of the outer ply becomes pasted to the outside of a portion of the outer ply in the inner side flap 151.

As to the bottom closure, the slits 2729 and 31-33 define end flaps 167 and 169 and side flaps 171 and 173. The side flap 171 is folded back upon the tube on a main fold line 175 extending transversely with respect to-the length of the tube. This operation effects turning in of the end flaps 167 and 1.69, the end flaps folding in on lines indicated at 177 extending from the side edges of the tube to the inner ends of the slits. Paste is applied to the flaps at the bottom in a U-shaped pattern such as indicated at P-2 in Fig. 7. The flap 171 is folded over on a transverse crease line 179 to overlie the end flaps, then the side flap 173 is folded over on a transverse crease line 181 to overlie the side flap 171. The inner and outer folded-over side flaps 171 and 173 thus become pasted together and pasted to the end flaps.

In the bottom closure, the extension 133 of the outer ply 5 is included in the outer side flap 173 and the extension 137 of the inner ply 1 is included in the inner side flap 171. The portion of the inner ply 1 in the outer side fiap 1173 becomes pasted to the outside of extension 137 of the inner ply, the portion of the intermediate ply 3 exposed by recess 13S becomes pasted to the portion of the intermediate ply exposed by recess 131, and the extension 133 of the outer piy becomes pasted to the outside of a portion of the outer ply in the inner side flap 171.

As to the top closure 143, it is most advantageous that the band 77 extends inward (downward) past the main.

transverse fold line 155 and that the rows of paste spots 105a and 1051) be located inward of this fold line. As to the bottom closure 145, it is most advantageous that the band 63 extends inward (upward) past the main transverse fold line 175 and that the rows of paste spots 91a and 9117 be located inward of this fold *line. From this it will be clear that the appropriate dimension for each of the bands 53 and 77 in the longitudinal direction of the plies is that which is sufficient for this purpose. With the band of each closure extending from near the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies inward of the main fold line of the closure, the band spans both the main fold line and the crease lines on which the side flaps of the closure are folded in, and thereby reinforces the bag at all folds and creases made in forming the closure, and particularly at points of intersection of folds and creases which, without the band, would be especially weak points. With the bands, the three-ply bag is as strong as a four-ply bag, and, of course, includes less paper. While the bands, as shown herein, do not extend into the seamed region of the bag, they are not needed in this region since there is an extra thickness of paper in each seam due to the seam overlap. However, the bands may, if desired, extend into the seamed region.

It will be understood that band 63 or 77, instead of being pasted to both of the plies between which it lies, may be pasted only to one of these plies. It will also be understood that the band 63 or 77 need not have its outer edge set back from the innermost of the steppedend edge portions of the plies, but may have its outer edge coincident with the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies. In such case, each band should be pasted to both of the plies between which it lies to accomplish securement of these plies one to another. However, no band should have its outer edge farther outward than the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A multi-ply paper bag having a folded and pasted end closure constituted by inturned end flaps, a first side flap folded in from one wall of the bag on a first trans verse crease line to overlie the end flaps, and a second side flap folded in from the other wall of the bag on a second transverse crease line to overlie the first side flap, the plies of the bag having stepped-end edge portions at least in the side fiaps, and a reinforcing band extending girthwise of the bag between the plies and adhered at least to one ply, said band spanning said crease lines and having its outer edge no farther outward than the innermost of said stepped-end edge portions of the plies.

. 2. A bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer edge of the band is stepped back from the innermost of said stepped-end edge portions of the plies, wherein the band is adhered at least to one ply inward of said crease lines, and wherein the plies are adhered together between the outer edge of the band and the innermost of said stepped- .end edge portions.

3. A multi-ply paper bag having at least three plies,'a top reinforcing band extending girthwise of the bag adjacent the top thereof between two of the plies, and a bottom reinforcing band extending girthwise of the bag adjacent the bottom thereof between another two of the plies, the top band being set back from the top edge of the bag and the bottom band being set back from the bottom edge of the bag, the distance which the outer edges of the bands are set back from the top and bottom edges of the bag being appreciably less' than half the distance between the inner edges of the bands.

4. A multi-ply paper bag as set forth in claim 3 having folded and pasted top and bottom closures and wherein the top band spans the crease lines of the folded top closure and the bottom band spans the crease lines of the bottom closure.

5. A multi-ply paper bag as set forth in claim 4 wherein the top band is adhered at least to one ply below the crease lines of the top closure and wherein the bottom band is adhered at least to one ply above the crease lines of the bottom closure.

top closure, and the bottom band being set back from the bottom edge of the bag and having its bottom edge no farther downward than the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies in the bottom closure, and the top band spanning the crease lines of the top closure and the bottom band spanning the crease lines of the bottom closure.

7. A multi-ply paper bag as set forth in claim 6 wherein the upper edge of the top band is stepped downward from the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies in the top closure, the bottom band is stepped upward from the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies in the bottom closure, and wherein the bands are adhered at least to one ply inward of the crease lines, and the plies are adhered together between the upper edge of the top band and the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies in the top closure and the plies are also adhered together between the lower edge of the bottom band and the innermost of the stepped-end edge portions of the plies in the bottom closure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,176,370 Wagner Oct. 17, 1939 2,176,499 Hoppe et al Oct. 17, 1939 2,245,675 Hultin June 17, 1941 2,330,015 Stokes Sept. 21, 1943 2,761,612 Grossett et al Sept. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 512,903 Belgium Aug. 14, 1952 

